- Please call 401-849-4777 to reserve a court, private lesson, or space in one of our clinics.
CLUB HISTORY
The Hall of Fame Tennis Club is set in The Newport Casino, a National Historic Landmark that was first opened on July 26, 1880 as a social club for Newport’s turn of the century summer elite.
On August 31, 1881, the first U.S. National Men’s Singles Championship was contested at the Casino, among a field consisting of 25 participants, accompanied by a string quartet. Dick Sears emerged as the country’s first champion, going on to win the first seven championships (1881-1887) before retiring undefeated. Sears and James Dwight also partnered to capture five doubles championships (1882-1884, 1886-1887).
By 1914, the event had outgrown Newport, leading the USNLTA to relocate the championships to the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York. The tournament evolved to become known as the US Open.
Today, the 13 grass, 6 hard and 1 clay court at the Hall of Fame Tennis Club continue to be played on by members and tennis players from around the globe. The Hall of Fame Tennis Club is open to the public daily for court time, lessons and clinics.
By joining the Hall of Fame Tennis Club, you become part of a community that extends far beyond the boundaries of the court. From access to exclusive events, networking with fellow members to accessing behind-the-scenes experiences, your membership makes you a part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame family. Your membership plays a significant role in our mission of preserving and promoting the history of tennis, celebrating its greatest champions, and inspiring the next generation of fans globally.
STAFF & TENNIS PROFESSIONALS
Bill Mountford
Director, Tennis
Gibby Harnett
Director, Operations
Kim Zizza
Tennis Club Coordinator
Colby Richardson
Tennis Club Coordinator
Teaching Professionals
RSPA CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS
Bruce Levine, Senior Professional & Master Racquet Technician
Bruce is coaching the men’s and women’s varsity teams at Salve Regina University, and is a highly regarded industry veteran. He was an ambassador promoting Cardio Tennis for the Tennis Industry Association and brings a wealth of senior-level experience to our team.
Philip Matthews, Lead Tennis Professional
The New York City native comes to Newport from the River Club in New York, where he served as Senior Tennis Professional for 12 years, and the Maidstone Club in East Hampton. An industry veteran, he brings a reputation for high-energy coaching and enthusiasm.
Juanra Lastra, Senior Professional
Juanra is joining the ITHF team from Los Angeles where he was the Tennis Program Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA for 6 years. Juanra will be bringing his LiveBall clinics from Los Angeles to Newport. Players can expect a great on-court cardio workout AND point play for the duration of his clinics. Juanra is a Spanish Tennis Federation Professional and a USPTA Elite Professional
Dan Cardiff, Senior Professional
Dan joins the Hall of Fame Club from California, where he coached for 5 years at Orinda Country Club while running free tennis programs for underserved families in Oakland. He helped develop tennis players from the junior level to 5.0 level and looks forward to working with the tennis community here in Newport. Back in California, he played Division 1 Tennis and competed in Track and Field while at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Dan is also a USTA National Open Grass Court Champion in singles and doubles, is USPTA Certified and is a USRSA certified Master Racquet Technician.
Chris Hayes, Senior Professional
Chris Hayes joins the Hall of Fame Tennis Club staff from Ithaca, NY where he served as the men's and women's varsity head coach for Ithaca College from 2020-2023. He was also the assistant coach at Ithaca College from 2018-2020 and the men's assistant coach at Mercer University from 2016-2017. Chris has had teaching experience at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, CT and Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, NY. Chris played Division 3 tennis at Ithaca College and received his Masters Degree in Higher Education while at Mercer. He is a USPTA certified professional and a certified strength and conditioning coach through USA Weightlifting.
Darren Kindred, Senior Professional
Born in Oklahoma, Darrens tennis journey began in Tyler, Texas when he was 10. His family moved to suburban Chicago 2 years later and he continued to play tennis all through high school. After competing in high school, Darren knew he wanted to teach tennis as a profession. He then decided to go back to Texas where he attended Tyler Junior College. He graduated with a tennis teaching degree from Tyler’s PTM program.
He began his professional teaching career at Hopewell Valley Tennis Center and then went on to become the Director of Tennis at Bucks County Racquet Club in Washington Crossing, PA for 10 years. The next, and most recent, chapter of his career was at Princeton Tennis Program, a non-profit community organization that is the oldest one of it’s kind in the nation. Darren coached all age-groups at PTP and had the privilege to be a Summer Camp director.
A highlight of Darren’s career was working with OPAF (Orthotic and Prosthetic Activities Foundation). In 2005, he helped create the First Volley Adaptive Tennis clinics. Traveling across the country, and internationally, Darren’s efforts captured the attention of the USTA. He spoke at the USTA National Teachers conference during the US Open, and served on the Adaptive panel alongside Wheelchair tennis and Special Olympics.
Darren and his wife Dijana, and their two boys Luca and Ozzy, live in Newport, RI.
Dijana Stanic, Senior Professional
A native of Bosnia, Dijana came to the US to play college tennis in 2003. After being amongst top-3 juniors in Bosnia, she accepted a college scholarship to Auburn University at Montgomery, where she played #1. Dijana led the team to the national NAIA title while finishing as the #4 ranked player in the NAIA. Dijana transferred to University of South Alabama (NCAA Division l) where she had a singles record of 52-14 and doubles record of 39-8. She also helped her team reach a top-20 ranking in D1.
As an Exercise science graduate, she left southern Alabama for Princeton New Jersey where she started working at a non-profit tennis facility, Princeton Tennis Program. Dijana spent 15 years in Princeton and taught everyone from 4-year-olds to 94-year-olds.
Dijana and her husband Darren live in Newport, RI and have two boys, Luka and Ozzy.
PRO SHOP
Newport's only full service Pro Shop, we are located at 15 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI. We carry a range of racquets, grips, overgrips, tennis shoes, and miscellaneous tennis accessories year round; Racquet brands include Wilson, Babolat and Head. Each brand has multiple frames depending on your style of play. The only store on Aquidneck Island carrying Fila, On, Babolat, K-Swiss, Wilson and Head performance tennis shoes be sure to stop by the Pro Shop for all your tennis necessities.
Stringing Services
On-site we offer stringing services, grip build ups, grommet installation, and much more! The Wilson Baiarado is a top-of-the-line stringing machine and the sole stringer used at the Hall of Fame Tennis Club. We also have a wide range of different strings; Synthetic Gut, Natural Gut and hybrid.
To set up a stringing appointment, please call the Pro shop call (401-849-4777).
Demo Racquets
Our demo racquet system is free for members, and non-members can pay $10 plus tax to rent for the day. Our racquet inventory has a wide range of styles. The racquets we have in stock are all available to demo. The biggest obstacle in choosing a new racquet is seeing how it responds to your game. Test a new frame today and bring your game to the next level!
Demo Program
- Offers court time at cost
- Available to non-members!
- Any amount spent in your search will go to purchase of a new racquet.
FITNESS CENTER
Featuring performance apparel and shoes, as well as top racquet brands and models, including Babolat, Head, and Wilson. In addition, we offer the latest technology for top quality racquet stringing.
Fitness Facility: Equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and weight machines, free weights, and stretching area. Available for a recurring a monthly fee for tennis club members only. May be added at any time.
- Family: $65/month
- Couple: $45/month
- Individual: $25/month
- Young Professional: $25/month
New Locker Rooms: Complete with shower facilities, seasonal and daily locker rentals.
CLUB POLICIES
ATTIRE:
- Due to the historic nature of the club and in respect of tennis tradition, players are required to dress in predominantly white tennis attire on the grass courts.
- Only smooth-soled tennis shoes are allowed on court. Grass court shoes are not permitted.
GUEST POLICY:
- Members may bring guests to play at a rate of $60 per person per day. Guests are limited to three (3) visits per season. After the fourth visit, the Guest will be required to join the Hall of Fame Tennis Club or pay the full non-member hourly court fee.
- All guests are required to sign in at front desk.
RESERVING COURTS:
- Courts may be reserved up to 7 days in advance by phone or in person.
- Members have unlimited access for grass court play. Courts may be reserved on a first-come-first-serve basis, for up to 2 hours in duration.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
- All members have priority booking on the grass courts up to 7 days in advance. Due to high demand for the grass courts, we need to strictly enforce our "No Show" policy. If a court is booked by a member and not used, there will be a $60 fee assessed and advanced booking privileges could be forfeited.
- For non-members, cancellations must occur 48 hours in advance to avoid the full charge for the court time. This is being done to assure an efficiency in court usage and that the available courts are utilized in full.
- The Hall of Fame Tennis Club reserves the right to move any reservation or to move groups to another time slot without notice to accommodate scheduling and insure a policy that is fair to all Members.
WEATHER POLICY:
- The Lawn Tennis Club hours of operation may be affected due to inclement weather. Please call the club or check the website for weather updates.
MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT & BILLING POLICIES:
- All tennis services are payable prior to the time of service. Members are asked to have a credit card number on file as back-up to their house charge account.
- Monthly statements for due accounts will be sent out at the beginning of each month and are due by the 20th of the same month. Parents are responsible for all junior accounts.
- It is required as part of membership in the Hall of Fame Tennis Club, all members agree to execute a formal membership agreement and a Medical Information Sheet. A signed General Waiver is required for membership.
- Members agree further to abide by all club policies, regulations and rules.
CONTACT
tennisclub@tennisfame.com
401-849-4777
Mailing Address:
19 Memorial Blvd.
Newport, RI 02840
Hours
Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 10:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7:30am - 7:00 pm
Directions
The Pro Shop entrance is located at 19 Memorial Boulevard, Newport, RI. Member parking is available in the lot adjacent to the club on Memorial Boulevard. Guests may use surrounding street parking without time limit on Chapel Terrace, Freebody Street, or the north bound side of Memorial Blvd.
